Florida boats

[Oleanda]

Can anyone please tell me what the boats with the big fans on the back, that are used in the Everglades, are called? they may not even be 'boats' as they seem to float over the swamps.

[TheHitMaker]

Fan Boats I believe.

[scubadiver]

When we were over there last year, everywhere was advertising them as "airboat rides"

[gazzawazza]

I think the proper name is hydrofoil though I stand to be corrected...

[Jonathan R]

Just wanted to say that a hydrofoil is something quite different. It has large foils attached to the front of the hull which raise the craft out of the water and allow it to skim accross the surface. Sorry Gazza but you did say you stood to be corrected! I live on an island and used to travel on one until it was replaced by a much smoother catermaran. The 'Florida boats' are more akin to hovercrafts if anything (another unpleasant ride).

[sddsddean]

Scubadiver is correct. They are airboats. A very shallow draught flat bottomed hull with an engine mounted approx 6 feet above the rear transom connected to a propellor. If you ever go on one, stuff as much loo roll as you can in your ears or you will be deaf for the next couple of hours!!!

[gazzawazza]

No problem Jonothan R!